JFAC approves $666,500 package for Commission on Aging, including $500,000 ARPA drawdown

The Joint Finance Committee voted to approve $666,500 in new funding for the Idaho Commission on Aging, including a $500,000 one-time federal appropriation to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds.

Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the request “is to pay final invoices and draw down final remaining ARPA grant funds before access to that funding expires September thirtieth of 2025.” He said $450,000 of the one-time federal request would be paid to local area agencies on aging for final invoices for programs including older Idaho supportive services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a pilot to expand the public health workforce.

The package approved by the committee also included an ongoing general-fund adjustment intended to address inflationary pressures and a small one-time general-fund purchase for replacement IT hardware. Committee language and the motion approved by the panel set an increase from the general fund totaling $166,500 and $500,000 in federal funds, plus $3,900 for two replacement laptops and docking stations recommended by the Office of Information Technology.

McGurkin said $155,000 of the ongoing general-fund request would fund a 3% increase in trustee/benefit payments to local area agencies on aging to help cover rising labor, insurance and fuel costs; the remaining $7,600 would cover a 2% increase in certain central commission operating expenses to support travel, training and program reviews.

Representative Petzke seconded the motion after it was offered by Senator Ward Engelking. With a majority recorded in both chambers, the motion passed on a committee vote reported as 19 ayes and 1 nay. The committee chair directed the recommendation to be carried forward as a bill with a “do pass” recommendation.

The committee record shows the funding is intended for one-time ARPA drawdowns and limited ongoing adjustments; McGurkin noted the ARPA-funded items are meant to be one-time expenditures and “none of this total results in ongoing obligations or loss of expected services when ARPA grants expire.”